Thursday, November 29, 2012

Trains Trains Trains

Or ChooChoo as Hadleigh would call them :)
We've seen a lot of trains recently.  First, we went to Ashland's Train Day which is held every year.  This was our first year, and Hadleigh seemed to enjoy herself.  Gran, Gramps, and Erik came to join in on all of the fun as well.  
Hadleigh and Erik rode with Gran on a small train they had for the kids.  The Arts & Activity Center was filled with model trains for the kids to look at.  Hadleigh always has fun with "Eek" is around :)
Waiting in line to ride the train






Then this past weekend, we saw that The Science Museum of Virginia was having a Model Train exhibit, so we decided to take Hadleigh.  It was nice, but it didn't hold her attention like we thought it would.  We ended up walking around the museum and she only liked the bug/reptile exhibit for a little bit.  In hindsight, we wish we would have spent our money and just taken her next door to the Children's Museum.  Next time.






huge.cockroach.ew

M&M Train!
Hadleigh had more fun running around with daddy outside of the museum :)

Love this picture!


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Month 3 & 4 for Hayden

Whew! Time is flying and Hayden is growing
way.too.fast.
Here's her list for these 2 months:
She is such a happy baby - smiling all the time.
  Only cries when she gets super tired (or hungry, but we usually can tell so I feed her before fussing starts). 
She doesn't mind being held, but is very content sitting on her own.
She loves the kickin' coaster Kelli gave us since her boys aren't babies anymore (tear.)  She could kick in that thing for hours. She kicks and kicks and then falls asleep in that thing. (so funny cause Hadleigh did not like it at all)
When I lay her on the changing table - she's already grabbing at her legs.  She definitely knows they're there.  Only a matter of time until she gets those feet in her mouth!
She will roll from side to side, but hasn't fully rolled over yet.
She's great with tummy time - her head is super strong and she gets her chest off the floor.
I hold her on my hip most of the time now since her head is pretty stable.
She finally thinks Hadleigh is funny and loves when she talks to her - which is quite often.  Hadleigh likes that she smiles at her (love.my.girls)
She smiles a lot for me, but she REALLY smiles for Daniel (daddysgirl)
She's still strictly breast fed, but I'm thinking about trying cereal this week.  I almost want to put it off cause I know it's just another step to her growing up (waahhhh)
She's still sleeping through the night and actually likes to be set down in her crib when she's getting tired.  She likes falling asleep on her own.  I can get her to fall asleep sometimes with me rocking her, but if she's restless I set her down in her crib.
I'm not sure her stats cause we haven't had her 4 month doctor appointment yet, but we will in mid December.

Pictures of our smiley girl!

3 month picture


4 month picture

4 month pic - I couldn't choose!

another :)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Music to Hadleigh's Ears...

...hopefully!

Hadleigh had to get tubes put in her ears on 11.20.12.  She's had constant fluid in her ears and then had an ear infection every couple of weeks for the past 2 months, so the doctor recommended it.  Cold season would only make thing worse if we left it alone.  She did really well!!  I was pretty nervous cause I knew a nurse was going to come take her, and then just thinking about her being confused and then put under...tough on a parent.  Daniel and I were shocked when the anesthesiologist (who was male!) came and got her....and she didn't cry!  She went right to him and they left the room. Shocked!  So because she did so well, mama didn't even cry.
The surgery literally took 10 minutes.  She was pretty fussy afterwards cause she was still out of it, but by the time we were half way home, she was back to herself.  The doctors said she would probably sleep for a while afterwards.....ha! She was wide awake as soon as we got home.
Here she is before surgery:




And after:

We're so happy our little girl did so well and are hoping it helps with the ear infections!

Short Pump Tree Lighting

This was a last minute plan.  I was looking through www.richmond.com and found that a mall close by was having a tree lighting and Santa.  We needed to start the Santa dialogue with Hadleigh, so she knows who Santa is..etc.  I called up Kristy to see if her family wanted to join - and they did!
It was insane and free, so everyone and their mother was there.  It made it hard to really enjoy because it was so crowded.  We know for next year to get there super early. They had a small parade with different characters and then Santa at the end.  Hadleigh looked at Santa, but was really more interested in being with Lily.




Afterwards, we all went to dinner together.  Hadleigh and Lily were SO CUTE together.  Kristy and I were talking about how much we love that they truly adore each other.  Here's a picture Kristy got of them waiting at the restaurant <3

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Practical Parenting Tips


I stumbled upon this list and had to re-post. It made me laugh out loud several times and made me nod my head and say "That is the TRUTH!"  I love the way he writes - offensive bad language and all :)

Enjoy!

Original Post Can be found here ---> WELL worth your time to read

Here are some of my comments to his list:
1.  This is so very true.  It does get easier, but it's definitely something parents think about ALL the time.  With Hadleigh being my first, I thought about it more and woke up a lot to check on her.  After a while of her sleeping through the night, breathing, and waking up in the morning you find it a little easier to sleep.  Even with Hayden I still check to make sure she is breathing.  It's just one of those freaky things that you worry about. 

2.  Those books are scary as shit.  I remember getting one when I first found out I was pregnant with Hadleigh.  I read through it one day and it scared the crap outta me.  I'm glad I got scared early on and got rid of the book.  I cannot imagine having the book on hand when she actually got here.  Anytime I see the book on friends registries I get the chills.  And even though I know this, I still google everything possible when it comes to my kids.  Cause that's not just as scary right?!

3.   I didn't really find the doctors appointments to be a big deal.  I loved them cause you get to see how much they've grown and get to know their percentiles.  I never worried about them being in an enclosed area with other sick kids, but then again my doctors office had a sick side and a well side.  The only thing that sucks are the shots - you will cry with them, but it's necessary in my book.

4.  The poop thing was not something that was weird or gross to me.  You will never be so excited that your baby has pooped and you'll make a HUGE deal about it.  It's a natural thing and if anyone doesn't think they'll have to deal with this...well they shouldn't be having kids :)

5.  We (Daniel and I) have no experience with natural childbirth.  Well except for some unsuccessful pushing, in which case I pee'd and Daniel yelled "oh my god!" :)  So I can't really speak to that, but I can with the C-Sections.  Daniel never looked over the sheet except for when he might of caught a glimpse walking over to our girls on the other side of the room once they were born.  Me on the other hand, would have loved to of looked over the sheet.  Call me crazy, but it would have been interesting.  Unfortunately, due to this thing called "shock" they don't let you. boo.

6.  Before I had kids I always said, "I hope my kids are cute". And my kids are SUPER CUTE, model material. (duh). But every parent should think that. And even if your kid isn't deemed "beautiful" by someone, it doesn't matter.  It's your child and regardless, you'll think they are.

7.  This is hard.  Friends and family members will buy books and not even think about someone having to read them over and over. And you will find yourself bribing your kids to read something other than the book they picked sometimes, just cause you are so over it. If your kids are anything like mine, they're stubborn, and most of the time the said bribery doesn't work. 

8. You're sleep deprived, but you get used to it and learn to function.  Caffeine is your friend.  You don't get much sleep when you're pregnant either, so it's not too different.

9.  This.is.so.true.  You will also start making a mental list of all the things you do to whip out in one of these arguments.  It's like a mini-competition to get out of doing something, when if you just did it, it would have been done so much quicker if you didn't argue.  I hat this and have to work constantly on trying not to do this!

10. See 9.  I love the misery loves company line [ ahem, Daniel ;)]

11.  I remember before Hadleigh was born, Daniel was very sensitive to throw up, poop, boogers...etc.  Anytime my nephew spit something up he would turn his head.  But when it's your own child it's different.  Daniel picks the girls boogers, cleans poopy diapers, has been pooped on, and thrown up on and he handles it like a champ.

12.  I have a freezer full of milk cause I'm so freaked that when Hayden starts drinking 8 ounces at a time, I won't be able to keep up.  Everyone can tell you not to stress, but you'll still worry even a little bit.

13.  My girls haven't had hand, foot, and mouth [knock on wood]

14.  Even if you have babysitters and family that can stay home with the kids when they're sick...you as a parent will still want to stay home with them yourself.  Family comes first and anyone that complains about you missing ANYTHING...can kiss your ass.

15.  Agree. Babies cry...and a lot have acid reflux that makes them fussy. Hold them and rock them cause you will for sure miss it.

16.  & 17.  Hold them but to a certain extent.  It's hard to find the perfect medium - you want to hold and cuddle but you also want to be able to set them down sometimes and them not whine.  You're at the mercy of their moods really. Good luck!

18.  We didn't even really consider this.  Both of us work, so it would have been even more to ask of whoever the caregiver is.  Maybe my opinion would have been different if I was staying home or if we were super strapped for cash.

19. This hits me more than any other on the list.  I struggle with mommy guilt every day.  I'm working all day, so I'm not spending that time with them. I come home and cook dinner instead of 100% putting my attention to the girls.  I sit down for a few and look at my e-mail or watch TV to get some sanity instead of giving them attention.  Then it flips - If I were at home, feeling guilty for not working to get more $$ for them to do and have the things they want. Getting together with friends instead of hanging with them on the weekends....I could go ON and ON.  I'm still waiting for it to get better - does it?!

20.  I know I can do the best parenting possible and things could still go wrong, just got to have faith that your kids will choose the right path.  Just think...those crackheads were once cute little newborns and kids. Scary, I know.

21.  Hopefully the nice tendencies out way the "asshole" ones ;)

22.  We are happy with the daycare we put Hadleigh in 3 days a week.  She's starting to enjoy it herself, so it makes things a lot easier.

23.  HA! Tell my OCD husband this (please)

24. Again, please tell Daniel this! k? thanks!

25.  The TV - another mommy guilt topic.  Sometimes to keep sanity, you need that TV.  I tell myself, it's OK.  Plus shows have gotten a lot better for kids where some are educational.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
"However, “Calliou” is Satan reincarnated as a whiny, bald Canadian brat. Avoid this show with your life." <--- Hilarious.  My child LOVES him and we have to watch him daily. Be jealous.

26.  They repeat everything. EVERYTHING.

27.  I'm too scared to take Hadleigh or Hayden on a plane...maybe one day!

28.  Daniel and I were just talking about when we can take Hadleigh to a movie.  She is for sure too young right now - maybe in a year.  

29.  This would be difficult for me, cause I look at every activity and think "Hadleigh will enjoy this".  And if she enjoys it, it's worth it, and we do it. done.

30.  These are all my experiences and opinions off of his experiences and opinion.  Right, wrong, or indifferent. Have kids and you will have your own take ;)  

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Hadleigh's Room

Can I just say, how much fun it is to decorate a little girls room? it.is.so.fun :) 

We started off with a blank space since we moved into the house back in February, so we could really do anything.  I love the owl themed rooms, so we went with that.  Plus, we have an owl cookie jar in our kitchen and for a while Hadleigh would point at it and go "hoo hoo". That girl is cute.

Here are some before pictures:
taken from doorway
taken from corner above
looking at doorway
The 2 sets of doors to the left of the doorway is her closet space.  The door to the left of those goes into her (and Hayden's) playroom.

We did a lot in this room/bought new things because, well, we didn't have anything.
Painted walls Tinkerbell Green (the Disney line)
Furniture is from JC Penney - which was a nightmare.  We would order a set, they wouldn't tell us it was discontinued, so we would call to find out where the furniture was...oh yeah...We originally ordered in April and we didn't get all the furniture until July - ridiculous!
Clarification: Yes, that is a real carousel horse turned into a rocking horse - Hadleigh's grandparents got that for her last year :)
A lot of the wall art we did have.  Her letters that spells her name we just re-painted to match the new room.  We purchased the tree wall decal - it's stickers, ya'll! Genius idea, that person.
We purchased the rug from Wal-mart.com, which came from Wayfair.  Another nightmare.  They sent us the first rug with stains all over it.  Second one, we kept but that was after some Resolving stains on our part.
Bedding and valance are all from Target, of course.  I love the quilt look a lot better than the comforter - it looks a lot cleaner to me.


You might recognize the bookshelf in this picture from here
Which is above the bench featured in this post




We're happy to report, Hadleigh loves her room just as much as we do!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Master Bedroom (Part 3 of 3)

To see part 1 click here
To see part 2 click here

We are finally finished with our little area of the house!! There's still a few thing that need to be done, so I'm sure I'll be back with another update sometime in the future.

To coordinate with our bedroom area, we went with the yellow walls in the living room area as well.  We actually had someone come in and paint for us since we've been busy with a 2 year old and a 3 month old ;) He's awesome and got it knocked out in 2 days (if you want the recommendation, let me know!).  We already have him booked for sometime in December to start our kitchen renovation, which I'm really excited about.  Anyways, back to the bedroom...

All we really had to do in here was paint and put up some new curtains, art work, and TV cabinet.
Here are some before pictures:
 We got rid of that red wall which seemed way too dark for this room.

The kitchenette - got rid of the wallpaper and added fun little knobs that I got from Hobby Lobby.

Here are the after pictures:

I did these pictures myself.  I bought 8x10 frames from Ross on clearance and just added some leftover fabric I had from making the toss pillows on our bed :)  It was so simple.
 


Don't the knobs look awesome?!  I'm really happy with how it turned out.  It looks a lot better and symmetrical now that Daniel added them to the bottom cabinets. Hobby Lobby and 50% off, what could be better?
We sill have to mount the TV and add some kind of art work on either side.  Once we do that,the cabinet will look a little bare, so we'll need to add something. We also need to add decorative things to the shelves in the kitchenette - I'm at a loss right now on what to get.
Stay tuned for further updates on how we decided to decorate more!!